Stick Horse Rodeo

The annual stick horse rodeo was on March 2nd this year.  It is one of my favorite events at the kids' school!  We had a hard time finding Emme a cute "cowgirl" outfit this year.  We went to Cavender's the night before to find something - BIG.HUGE.MISTAKE!  There were MILLIONS of people there, everything was pretty picked over and I was annoyed.  I tried a couple of outfits on Emme, but nothing really worked and at one point, Emme even said Mommy, I don't want to wear this.  I look widicuwous!  I just looked at Aaron, who replied She's right! and we busted out laughing.  I then thought screw it, we'll go to Target and find her a cute denim skirt I can countrify.  We ended up with a cute chambray dress that isn't western, but with boots and a hat, it passed.  Here are some pictures:    

This kid cracked me up!

Jackson & his sweet buddy, Andrew

 Milking a "cow"

 Bluebonnet face paint

 Driving the stage coach

 Bowling

 My sweet Chicken!

This IS Their First Rodeo!

Friday we took the kids to the rodeo.  Aaron & I had been several times this year, but this was the first time to take the kids.  They seemed to have a lot of fun and their were tears shed when it was time to leave.  The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has the cutest kids section.  It is called Down on the Farm and there are several stations you walk through.  At each station there is something to pick up and put in your harvest basket.  It starts with feeding the chickens and collecting an egg from the hen house, then you get "seeds" and go plant them.  Here they collected a carrot and an onion.  Then we went to the sheep house and sheared some wool.  On to the dairy barn to milk the cows.  Picked some corn.  After that we took our harvest to the farmer's market to sell.  Jackson & Emme each earned a dollar and then got to go to the grocery store where they could purchase a snack and a Capri-Sun.  It was super cute! After that area, we went to the petting zoo and then to the livestock show and saw all the animals and FFA projects, etc.  We tried to steer clear of the carnival madness... totally not my thing.  WAY too many people and it makes me itchy & nervous.  Weird, I know.  All in all, it was an enjoyable day!   

 Planting carrot seeds

 They rarely smile for the camera and never at the same time. 

 Jackson showing his profit.

 Jackson was braver here than ever before around the animals.  I was so proud of him!

 This was the biggest cow I had ever seen!

 My sweet girl & her daddy! 

 I love this picture -  I was playing with editing here too!

A fun one of one of the carnival rides.

Stick horse Rodeo

It's rodeo time in Houston! Even at Jackson & Emerson's school. Friday was their annual Stick Horse Rodeo. All the kids brought their stick horses, most were homemade, including ours. My two buckaroos looked so adorable! I ate every second of it up!

Yee-haw!
She looks so chunky in this picture. I made her hairbow & socks.

Jackson & his horse

In line for the pony rides.

Ropin' steer

About to eat hay.

Weird lighting.

Petting zoo - Jackson LOVED the chicken & rabbit and tolerated the rest.

The best we could do

Emme's horse

Jackson's horse that I made last year. I plan on revamping it next year.

Bath Fear? What Bath Fear?

Here is a picture from Jackson's Stick Horse Rodeo. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera, so I had to capture it on my cell. He looked so cute though in his cowboy boots, jeans, & bandana! We had a great time seeing all the little ones with their stick horses and there was a petting zoo too! Jackson was a little scared of the llama (but I reminded him that it was like Llama, Llama Red Pajama) and the goats. He got to ride a pony & had so much fun! He was squealing while we waited in line & then started bouncing up & down as soon as Aaron set him in the saddle. Too cute!

Jackson is CLEARLY over his fear of big boy baths! He was having such fun tonight. In fact, he cried (kicked & screamed even) when I got him out. I ended up taking some of the "safety" measures out and he doesn't seem as apprehensive. I don't think he liked the no-slip mat. Here are a few pics & a video from tonight:

Jackson & Emerson's new step stool. Gabby & Papa had it made for them for Valentine's Day. I think it is precious! Thanks so much Gabby & Papa!

Jackson knows just how to use it. He's such a big boy and climbs up all by himself. He can now reach to brush his teeth & wash his hands (with help, of course).

Jackson has been pretending to wash his hair lately, but we haven't been able to catch it on video yet. That or when he pretends to drink the bath water -- he dips his finger in the water & pretends to put it in his mouth like he's taking a tiny taste of something. So you'll hear me ask about washing his hair a couple of times, but he never does it.

Project completed!

Well, I finished the stick horse. Nothin' like waiting til the last minute. Jackson's Stick Horse Rodeo is tomorrow. I can't wait to see the kids parade with their stick horses and then there will be pony rides and a petting zoo and who knows what else. Pictures of the finished product:

He sort of has a long nose & he's WAY too big for Jackson, but hey...I was working completely without a pattern. He'll grow into it...eventually! ;)

The mane was a pain in the you know what! If you look closely, I even "branded" it with "JH" Jackson's initials. (bottom right in red)

Not bad for my first attempt. I will post pics of the event tomorrow. Stay tuned....